Genesee County residents to be surveyed on dining out

BATAVIA – Groups helping businesses with a “shop local” theme are trying to determine why residents of Genesee County spend more than $20,000 a week dining and drinking elsewhere.

A 14-question survey asks respondents what they want in local restaurants, how often they dine out, how much they usually spend, and what the kind of ambience and service they prefer.

Genesee County restaurant owners are also being questioned. Responses are due Friday.

Restaurant Creativity Associates, representing the Chamber of Commerce, Genesee Community College’s BEST Center, Batavia Development Corp. and Senior Corps of Retired Executives, is conducting the survey “to do what we can to ensure more dining dollars stay local.”

When the surveys are completed, the group will share results with local restaurateurs to devise an action plan to reduce the estimated $12 million that Genesee County residents spend each year to drink and dine elsewhere.